Paris Grey, Revisited

Jordan and I decided to tuck 2013 in by sharing some of our favorite projects that we did this year. When I looked back through the blogs we produced each month, I noticed a definite pattern. We are normal gals. Our projects won’t change the world – just our world. Every. Single. Thing. that we did, made, or remade is something that every single one of you can do. Although I would love to rock power tools and create a design or idea that has never been done before, it ain’t gonna happen. So, enjoy what we have done and are resharing and envision yourselves making small changes in your homes.

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I am pleased to share this post with you again. I finally got up the nerve to do a project that I have wanted to tackle for five years. Yes, five years. Finally, the stars lined up, and I got four signs that I should proceed. Come along, and I’ll tell you all about it.

The third sign was that I saw a sample of Annie Sloan Paris Grey on top of her Old White at Haven. It was so smooth and beautiful, and I really liked it. Plus, it matched the gray on our kitchen peninsula, and I already owned the Old White. And the fourth sign was that one of the leaders in a decorating class I took at Haven said you should do something in your home that scares you.

I finally got up the nerve to paint this armoire that we use in our mudroom as a shoe cabinet.

We put it in the mudroom when we moved in, and it has been a perfect spot for it. However, you can see that the reddish mahogany was clearly too formal for the space. There were so many people saying, “Don’t paint that furniture.” “I can’t believe you want to paint your armoire.” “Are you crazy??? You want to paint the armoire?”

I love that I finally did it. One morning I woke up last week and knew it was time. I bought the Paris Grey at a local shop. First I applied my Old White, and shortly afterwards was able to apply the grey. It only took one coat of each.

I distressed it and then waxed it with just a clear wax.

Then a few days later I distressed it some more. I love seeing a touch of the wood, and a touch of the white.

I wanted the armoire to be a gray that would match the gray in the mudroom runners, and match the kitchen peninsula, and that’s just what I got. I can’t believe I waited so long. I am not a shrinking violet (hey, I have jumped out of an airplane), but this little task scared me. What a waste of good time that was. So, the lesson here, my friends, is to not be afraid of doing what you want in your home.